_ 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


OF  THE 


EVACUATION  OF  NEW  YORK  CITY/ 

Monday,  November  26th,  1883, 


WITH  AN 


HISTORICAL  OUTLINE 


AND 


ORDER  OF  PROCESSION. 


COMPILED  BY 

JOHN  BRETTE. 


Published  under   *he   direction   of  the    Committee   of  Arrange  nu /its. 


PRICE,  FIVE  CENTS. 


New  York  : 
JOHN  POLHEMUS,  Publisher. 

M883. 


Names  of  the  General  Committee  charged  with  the  preparations 
for  the  celebration  of  Evacuation  Day.. 

COMMON  COUNCIL  (Nine). 


John  Cochrane, 
Wm.  P.  Kirk, 
Edward  T.  Fitzfatrick, 
Hugh  J.  Grant, 


Charles  B.  Watte, 
Robt.  E.  De  Lacy, 
Edward  Duffy, 
Henry  W.  Jachne, 

John  C.  O'Connor,  Jr. 


CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  (Thirteen). 

Wm.  H.  Fogg, 


A.  A.  Low, 
W.  E.  Dodge, 
S.  D.  Babcock, 
S.  B.  Chittenden, 
James  M.  Brown, 
Solon  Humphreys, 

NEW  YORK   HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  (Thirteen). 


John  Austin  Stevens, 
Cyrus  W.  Field, 
Charles  S.  Smith, 
Frederick  L.  Talcott, 
A.  G facie  King. 


Augustus  Schell, 
Edward  F.  de  Lance y, 
Hamilton  Fish, 
Royal  Phelps, 
Geo.  H.  Moore, 
John  A.  King, 


A  N  DREW     \  V  ARNER, 

Robert  E.  Livingston, 
cornelii  s  v anderbilt, 
Rutherford  Stuyvesant, 
John  McKesson, 
James  M.  Vakmm, 

C.  N.  Bliss. 
COMMITTEE  OF  ARRANGEMENTS. 
General  Alex.  Shaler,  Chairman. 
John  Austin  Stevens,  See'y. 
C.  S.  Smith, 
Col.  Locke  Winchester, 
Col.  James  M.  Varnum. 

Chairman  of  General  Committee  :  Gen.  John  Cochrane. 
Secretary :  John  Austin  Stevens. 


MAR  14  1933 


The  Municipality  of  the  City  of  New  York,  by  public  resolu- 
tion, determined,  on  the  9th  day  of  January  last,  to  commemo- 
rate in  a  proper  manner  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the 
Evacuation  of  the  city  by  the  British.  This  final  military  act  of 
the  war  occurred  on  the  25th  day  of  November,  1783.  The 
anniversary  falling  this  year  on  Sunday,  Monday,  the  26th,  was 
appointed  for  the  ceremonies.  The  resolution  of  the  Common 
Council  provided  for  co-operation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
of  the  State  of  New  York  and  of  the  New  York  Historical 
Society  in  the  direction  of  the  celebration,  and  invited  other 
organizations,  civic  and  military,  to  take  part  therein.  In  pur- 
suance of  this  resolution  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  the  Vet- 
erans of  the  War  of  1812  and  of  the  Mexican  War,  the  Loyal 
Legion,  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  the  Veterans  of 
the  National  Guard  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  civic  organizations  have  also  resolved  to  unite  with  the 
committee.  In  presenting  to  the  public  a  few  historical  facts, 
as  well  as  a  brief  account  of  the  ceremonies  which  will  take 
place  on  the  26th  instant,  it  is  the  desire  of  the  committee  and 
the  purpose  of  the  writer  to  give  a  general  outline  of  some  of 
the  momentous  events  which  led  to  the  evacuation.  Several  in- 
teresting facts  are  given  which  have  not  been  heretofore  made 
public,  and  therefore  interest  thousands  of  those  who  will  wit- 
ness the  memorable  pageant. 

THE  WAR  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 

The  protracted  struggle  between  Great  Britain  and  America, 
known  as  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  commenced  in  1775  and 
ended  in  1783.  Punctually  at  twelve  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
April  8th,  one  hundred  years  ago,  the  proclamation  of  peace 
between  the  two  countries  was  read  by  the  Town  Major  at  the 
City  Hall,  then  in  Wall  Street,  in  the  presence  of  a  great  number 
of  inhabitants.  Though  the  proclamation  bears  date  of  the  14th 
day  of  February,  1783,  it  should  be  remembered  that  the  "pre- 
liminaries "  were  signed  on  the  20th  of  January  of  that  year. 
Washington  announced  the  fact  to  his  army  on  the  19th  of  April. 
New  York  had  been  in  British  hands  since  September  15th,  1776. 
Fighting  substantially  ended  with  the  battle  of  Yorktown  in 
October,  1781,  its  decisive  nature  compelling  the  British  virt  ually 
to  admit  their  inability  successfully  to  continue  the  struggle. 
Six  mont  hs  after  they  displayed  a  willingness,  if  not  an  anxiety, 


3 


to  cease  hostilities,  by  withdrawing  troops  from  Southern  terri- 
tory. Though  comparatively  few  shots  were  fired  for  two  years 
before  evacuation,  the  terrible  suspense  incident  to  and  occa- 
sioned by  the  military  occupation  was  not  finally  relieved  until 
the  25th  of  November,  1783,  when  the  last  boat,  filled  with 
British  "  red-coats,"  turned  its  prow  south  of  the  Battery  towards 
the  British  ships  which  were  lying  at  anchor  off  Staten  Island 
waiting  to  receive  them.  Washington,  with  Governor  Clinton 
and  others,  in  the  exercise  of  their  martial  and  civic  functions, 
were  called  upon  to  carry  out  the  work  of  pacification  and 
internal  order.  With  the  promptness  and  judgment  which, 
characterized  his  military  career,  the  General  immediately 
undertook  the  difficult  task.  Treaty  claims  were  to  be  adjusted, 
destruction  and  chaos  were  to  be  supplanted  by  order,  martial 
law  by  civic  authority,  and,  more  than  all,  the  great  commander 
and  his  adherents  were  face  to  face  with  the  social,  financial,  and 
industrial  problems  of  a  great  nation,  whose  vitals  had  been  sap- 
ped by  the  stern  ravages  of  the  enemy.  As  New  York  had  been 
the  pivotal  point  and  headquarters  of  the  invading  army  for 
seven  long  and  anxious  years,  it  was  natural  that  Washington 
should  desire  to  enter  in  triumph  the  city  which  he  had  been 
compelled  to  abandon  years  before  in  humiliation. 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  WASHINGTON'S  ENTRY  INTO 

THE  CITY. 

When  peace  was  declared,  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  who  in  May,  1782 
had  succeeded  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  command  of  the  British  forces, 
promptly  began  to  prepare  for  the  evacuation  by  disbanding  all 
the  loyalist  regiments  and  dispatching  many  of  the  regulars  to 
England,  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  West  Indies.  A  little  over 
6,000  troops,  including  detachments  of  the  light  infantry, 
grenadiers,  royal  artillery,  17th  dragoons,  and  the  7th,  22d,  23d, 
38th,  40th,  43d,  76th,  and  80th  foot  regiments  were  to  await  final 
orders.  Much  correspondence  took  place' between  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton  and  General  Washington,  and  all  trustworthy  accounts  agree 
that  the  dilatory  attitude  of  the  British,  after  peace  was  de- 
clared, caused  some  concern  even  to  Washington  himself.  In 
May,  the  two  rival  commanders  met  on  board  the"  Greyhound," 
off  Dobbs'  Ferry,  on  the  Hudson,  where  solemn  assurances  were 
given  that  no  time  would  be  lost  in  dispatching  the  remnant  of 
the  British  army.  When,  therefore,  Sir  Guy  Carleton  fixed  the 
25th  of  November  as  the  final  day,  Washington,  who  had  in  the 
meantime  disbanded  almost  all  his  Continental  army  at  West 
Point  and  Newburg,  prepared  to  take  possession  of  the  city  the 


4 


moment  the  British  left  it.  Washington  and  Governor  Clinton 
stayed  for  several  days  at  Cortlandt  House,  the  residence  of 
Frederick  Van  Cortlandt,  near  Yonkers,  an  historical  landmark, 
still  occupied  by  the  family.  An  extract  from  memoranda 
left  by  Lieut.-Governor  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  supplies  some 
interesting  details  of  the  movements  of  the  civic  and  mili- 
tary authorities.    He  said  : 

"N.  B.— I  went  f rom  Peekskill,  Tuesday  the  18th  of  November,  in  com- 
pany with  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton,  Col.  Benson  and  Col.  Camp- 
bell. Lodged  that  night  with  General  Cortlandt  at  Croton  River,  pro- 
ceeded and  lodged  Wednesday  night  at  Edw.  Couenhowen's,  where  we 
met  his  Excellency  General  Washington  and  his  aides.  The  next  night 
lodged  with  Mr.  Frederick  Y.  Cortlandt  at  the  Yonkers,  after  having  dined 
with  Mr.  Lewis  Morris,  Friday  morning  we  rode  in  company  with  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief as  far  as  the  Widow  Day's,  at  Harlem,  where  w.e  held  a 
council.  Saturday  I  rode  down  to  Mr.  Stuy vesant's ;  stayed  there  until 
Tuesday,  then  rode  triumphant  into  the  city  with  the  Commander." 

On  the  19th  the  great  commander  arrived  at  Day's  Tavern, 
near  the  junction  of  125th  street  and  8th  avenue,  attended  by 
the  State  and  army  officers,  while  a  portion  of  the  American 
troops  proceeded  to  take  positions  some  distance  below.  The 
news  of  the  intended  triumphal  entry  stirred  the  loyal  inhabi- 
tants to  great  enthusiasm.  A  meeting  of  a  "  large  and  respect- 
able "  number  of  people  who  had,  during  the  Summer  returned 
from  their  seven  years'  exile,  was  held  at  Cape's  Tavern,  Broad- 
way, followed  by  another  on  the  20th,  at  which  the  arrange- 
ments connected  with  the  entry  of  Washington  and  his  army 
were  discussed,  and  it  was  resolved  that  the  place  of  meeting 
between  the  military  and  the  people  should  be  at  the  Bull's 
Head  Tavern,  kept  by  Mrs.  Varian.  On  the  24th,  Sir  Guy 
Carleton  addressed  the  following  letter  to  General  Washington: 

New  York,  24  November,  1783. 
Sir:  Agreeably  to  the  notification  given  you  in  my  letter  of  the  19th  iu 
stant,  I  propose  to  withdraw  from  this  place  to-morrow  at  noon,  by  which 
time  I  conclude  your  troops  will  be  near  the  barrier.  The  guards  from  the 
redoubts  and  on  the  East  River  shall  be  first  withdrawn;  but  an  officer  will 
be  sent  out  to  give  information  to  your  advanced  guard  when  the  troops 
move. 

I  am,  Sir,  etc., 

GUY  CARLETON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

In  the  meantime  the  citizens  appointed  to  conduct  the  order 
of  receiving  their  Excellencies,  General  Washington  and  Governor 
Clinton,  were  busily  engaged  in  preparing  a  grand  welcome. 
In  the  public  prints  of  that  date  we  find  the  following  notifica- 
tion : 


5 


New  York,  November  24,  1783. 

The  committee  appointed  to  conduct  the  order  of  receiving  their  excel- 
lencies Governor  Clinton  and  General  Washington 

Beg  leave  to  inform  their  fellow  citizens  that  the  troops  under  the  com- 
mand of  Major-General  Knox  will  take  possession  of  the  city  at  the  hour 
agreed  on,  Tuesday;  as  soon  as  this  may  be  performed,  he  will  request  the 
citizens  who  may  be  assembled  on  horseback,  at  the  Bowling  Green,  the 
lower  end  of  the  Broadway,  to  accompany  him  to  meet  their  excellencies 
Governor  Clinton  and  General  Washington  at  the  Bull's  Head  in  the 
Bowery,  the  citizens  on  foot  to  assemble  at  or  near  the  Tea-water  Pump  at 
Fresh-water. 

.  The  following  order  of  procession  was  also  issued  : 

A  party  of  horse  will  precede  their  excellencies  and  be  on  their  flanks. 
After  the  General  and  Governor  will  follow  the  Lieutenant-governor  and 
members  of  the  Council  for  the  temporary  government  of  the  southern 
parts  of  the  State — the  gentlemen  on  horseback  eight  in  front — those  on 
foot,  in  the  rear  of  the  horse,  in  like  manner.  Their  excellencies,  after 
passing  down  Queen  street,  and  the  line  of  troops  up  the  Broadway,  will 
alight  at  Cape's  Tavern.  The  Committee  hope  to  see  their  fellow-citizens 
conduct  themselves  with  decency  and  decorum  on  this  joyful  occasion. 

The  arrangements  for  the  reception  being  now  completed, 
with  the  assurance  of  the  British  commander  that  his  army 
would  leave  the  city  at  noon,  the  people  patiently  awaited  the 
entry  of  the  patriots.  Washington  reached  the  encampment  in 
the  morning,  and  the  signal  was  given  to  move  forward  to  the 
city,  the  American  pickets  being  already  stationed  near  the  Dove 
Tavern,  within  five  miles  of  the  City.  Marching  along  the 
Kingsbridge  road,  the  American  troops  pursued  a  southern 
course,  taking  peaceful  possession  step  by  step  of  the  positions 
which  the  British  troops  had  abandoned.  Entering  the  Bowery 
they  proceeded  as  far  as  Bull's  Head  Tavern, where  the  Thalia 
theatre  ^so  long  known  as  the  Bowery  theatre)  now  stands. 
Pursuing  the  instructions  laid  down  in  the  above  named  notifi- 
cation, the  citizens,  many  of  whom  were  on  horseback,  then 
joined  the  procession.  A  detachment  of  the  American  troops, 
a  little  before  one  o'clock,  marched  into  and  took  possession  of 
the  city.  The  civic  procession  then  moved  along  the  Bowery  to 
Chatham  street.  At  the  corner  of  Orange  street  (now  Baxter) 
and  Chatham  street,  where  stood  the  old  Tea-water  Pump,  a 
large  number  of  citizens  on  foot  fell  in  line,  and  the  whole 
cavalcade  then  turned  into  Queen,  now  Pearl  street.  Proceed- 
ing up  Wall  the  procession  arrived  in  Broadway  opposite  Cape's 
Tavern,  on  the  north  of  Trinity  Churchyard,  the  site  on  which 
the  Boreel  building  now  stands.  Here  the  detachment  of  the 
military  were  in  waiting,  and  congratulations  were  exchanged 
between  the  military  and  civic  dignitaries. 

The  military  detachment  which  took  possession  of  the  city 
had  entered  in  the  following  order: 


6 


1.  A  corps  of  Dragoons. 

2.  Advance-Guard  of  Light  Infantry. 

3.  A  corps  of  Artillery. 

4.  Battalion  of  Light  Infantry. 

5.  Battalion  of  Massachusetts  Troop. 
C.  Rear-guard. 


The  General  and  Governor  with  the  Civic  Procession  made 
their  public  entry  in  the  following  order  : 

1.  Their  Excellencies  the  General  and  Governor,  with  their  suites  on 
horseback. 

2.  Lieutenant-Governor,  and  the  members  of  the  Council  for  the  tem- 
porary government  of  the  Southern  district,  four  abreast. 

3.  Major-General  Knox  and  the  officers  of  the  army,  eight  abreast. 

4.  Citizens  on  horseback,  eight  abreast. 

5.  The  speaker  of  the  Assembly  and  Citizens  on  foot,  eight  abreast. 

Washington  and  Clinton  were  escorted  by  a  body  of  West- 
chester Light-Horse  under  the  command  of  Captain  Delavan. 

In  the  evening  Governor  Clinton  gave  a  public  dinner  at 
Fraunces'  Tavern,  at  which  the  Commander-in-Chief  and  other 
general  officers  were  present.  After  dinner  the  following 
toasts  were  drank  : 

1.  The  United  States  of  America. 

2.  His  Most  Christian  Majesty. 
.  3.    The  United  Netherlands. 

4.  The  King  of  Sweden. 

5.  The  American  Army. 

6.  The  Fleet  and  Army  of  France  which  have  served  in  America. 

7.  The  Memory  of  those  Heroes  who  have  Fallen  for  our  Freedom. 

8.  May  our  Country  be  grateful' to  her  Military  Children. 

9.  May  Justice  support  what  Courage  has  gained. 

10.  The  vindicators  of  the  Rights  of  Mankind  in  every  Quarter  of  the 
Globe. 

11.  May  America  be  an  Asylum  to  the  persecuted  of  the  Earth. 

12.  May  a  close  Union  of  the  States  guard  the  Temple  they  have  erected 
to  Liberty. 

13.  May  the  Remembrance  of  This  Day  be  a  Lesson  to  Princes. 

Washington  and  Clinton  were  also  the  recipients  of  many 
congratulatory  addresses  from  returning  exiles  and  citizens.  In 
reply  to  one  of  these  Washington,  on  the  20th  of  November, 
gave  expression  to  the  following  sentiments  : 

"  May  the  Tranquility  of  your  City  be  perpetual  ;  may  the  Ruins  soon 
be  repaired,  commerce  flourish,  science  be  fostered,  and  all  the  civil  and 
social  virtues  be  cherished,  in  the  same  illustrious  manner  which  formerly 
reflected  so  much  credit  on  the  Inhabitants  of  New  York.  In  fine,  may 
every  species  of  Felicity  attend  you,  gentlemen,  and  your  worthy  fellow- 
citizens." 


IRELAND'S  SYMPATHY  AND  CONGRATULATION. 


In  all  that  ha,s  been  written  on  this  subject  it  appears  to  have 
been  generally  overlooked  that  among  the  congratulatory  ad- 
dresses presented  to  Washington,  none  found  a  warmer  place  in 
his  heart  than  that  of  the  members  of  the  "  Voluntary  Associa- 
tions* and  other  inhabitants  of  the  kingdom  of  Ireland."  The 
efforts  then  being  made  in  the  cause  of  freedom  by  Ireland's 
down-trodden  sons  were  well  known  to  Washington,  and  his  re- 
ply will  strike  a  responsive  chord  in  the  heart  of  every  Irish- 
man to-day.    The  great  Commander  wrote  : 

"  It  was  not  an  uninteresting  consideration  to  learn  that  the  Kingdom  of 
Ireland  by  a  bold  and  manly  conduct  had  obtained  redress  of  many  of  its 
grievances  ;  and  it  is  much  to  be  wished  that  the  blessings  of  equal 
liberty,  and  unrestrained  commerce,  may  yet  prevail  more  extensively. 
In  the  meantime,  you  may  be  assured,  gentlemen,  that  the  hospitality  and 
beneficence  of  your  countrymen  to  our  brethren  who  have  been  prisoners 
of  war  are  neither  unknown  or  unregarded." 

Governor  Clinton  expressed  similar  sentiments.  Meanwhile, 
festivities  continued  throughout  the  city.  Cape's  Tavern  was 
the  scene  of  uninterrupted  enthusiasm  for  several  days.  On 
the  28th,  an  entertainment  was  there  given  to  the  Governor  and 
Council,  and  also  to  General  Washington  and  the  army.  About 
three  hundred  gentlemen  "  graced  the  feast."  Among  the  toasts 
drank  were  : 

The  Protectors  of  the  rights  of  mankind. 
The  Constitution  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

May  the  spirit  which  produced  our  happy  Constitution  be  its  continual 
support. 

May  the  Sun  of  American  Liberty  spread  its  'influence  to  the  end  of  the 
earth. 

The  records  of  the  time  state  that  the  evening  was  spent  "  in 
great  good  humor,  hilarity  and  mirth,  becoming  the  joyous  oc- 
casion of  their  meeting."  On  December  2d,  another  entertain- 
ment was  given  at  the  same  place  by  the  Governor  to  His 
Christian  Majesty's  ambassador,  the  Chevalier  de  la  Luzerne. 
Washington  and  about  100  gentlemen  were  present.  In  the 
evening,  there  was  a  grand  display  of  fireworks  on  the  Bowling 
Green  in  celebration  of  the  Definitive  Treaty  of  Peace,  the  first 
being  preceded  by 

A  dove  descending  with  the  olive  branch,  which  communicated  the  lire 
to  a  marron  battery. 

On  Thursday,  the  4th  of  December,  Washington  bade  his 
officers  farewell.  Those  who  had  remained  in  the  city  assembled 
that  day  at  Fraunces'  Tavern  to  take  final  leave  of  their  illustrious 
commander.  The  event  was  as  impressive  as  the  gathering  was 
remarkable.  "The  passions  of  human  nature,"  says  a  writer, 
"were  never  more  tenderly  agitated  than  in  thismteresting  and 


8 


distressful  scene."  His  Excellency  having  filled  a  glass  of  wine, 
thus  addressed  his  brave  colleagues  : 

"With  a  heart  full  of  love  and  gratitude  I  now  take  leave  of  you  ;  I 
most  devoutly  wish  that  your  latter  days  may  be  as  prosperous  and  happy 
as  your  former  ones  have  been  glorious  and  honorable." 

This  utterance  was  received  in  solemn  silence.  Having  drank, 
he  added, 

' '  I  cannot  come  to  each  of  you  to  take  my  leave,  but  shall  be  obliged  if 
each  of  you  will  come  and  take  me  by  the  hand." 

Fervent  wishes  were  expressed  for  the  General's  future.  In  a 
letter  published  on  the  6th  of  December  of  that  year  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Packet,  the  following  additional  details  of  Wash- 
ington's leavetaking  are  thus  given  :  "  General  Knox,  who  stood 
nearest  to  him  [General  Washington],  turned  and  grasped  his 
hand,  while  the  tears  flowed  over  the  cheeks  of  each.  The  Com- 
mander-in-Chief kissed  him.  This  he  did  to  each  of  his  officers, 
while  tears  and  sobs  stifled  utterance."  Soon  after,  in  most 
affectionate  terms,  the  Governor,  the  Council  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  citizens  of  distinction  also  bade  his  Excellency  adieu.  A 
corps  of  light  infantry  was  drawn  up  in  line  about  two  o'clock, 
and  Washington  soon  afterwards  passed  through  them  on  his  way 
to  Whitehall,  where  he  embarked  in  his  barge  for  Powles  Hook, 
N.  J.,  now  Jersey  City.  With  this  act,  Washington's  military 
career  in  the  Revolution  ceased.  In  due  course,  he  arrived  at 
Annapolis,  resigned  his  commission  as  General  of  the  United 
States  Army,  and  retired  to  his  home  at  Mount  Vernon,  carry 
ing  with  him  the  proud  encomium  of  being  "first  in  war,  first 
in  peace,  and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen." 

OLD  LANDMARKS  ALONG  THE  ROUTE. 

On  the  Kingsbridge  Road,  at  about  180th  street,  was  a  well- 
known  hostelry  named  the  "  Blue  Bell."  This  tavern  stood  for 
more  than  a  centur$  and  a  half.  Washington  and  Governor 
Clinton  here  reviewed  the  troops  on  the  24th  of  November, 
1783.  A  mile  and  a  half  below,  on  the  east  side  of  the  present 
St.  Nicholas  avenue,  about  where  12Gth  street  intersects,  was 
Day's  Tavern,  also  a  noted  house,  around  which  the  bullets 
whistled  during  the  battle  of  Harlem  Plains.  Here  the  troops 
encamped  prior  to  their  entry  into  the  city.  Another  place 
worthy  of  mention  was  McGowan's,  and  just  below  the  Black 
Horse  Tavern  of  the  Revolution,  which  stood  on  the  north-east 
corner  of  the  present  Central  Park. 

The  ^  1 5u IPs  Head"  Tavern,  which  stood  at  the  head  of  the 
Bowery,  famous  as  the  last  stopping  place  of  Washington  be- 
fore he  made  his  entry  into  the  city,  was  kept  as  early  as  1770, 


0 


by  one  Richard  Varian,  who  was  keeper  of  the  public  slaughter- 
house. He  served  on  board  a  privateer  during  the  war,  was 
taken  prisoner  and  carried  to  Halifax,  where  he  remained  until 
peace  was  proclaimed,  when  he  came  back  to  New  York,  agree- 
ably surprised  to  find  his  wife  in  possession  of  the  old  hostelry. 
The  "  Bull's  Head  "  was  the  resort  of  butchers  and  drovers,  and 
was  widely  known. 

The  "  Tea- Water  Pump,"  at  which  the  troops  halted,  was  a 
spring  of  excellent  water  on  the  west  side  of  Chatham  street, 
and  was  long  in  great  request,  and  carried  from  door  to  door. 
Cape's  Tavern,  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  Boreel 
Building,  corner  of  Thames  street  and  Broadway,  was  the  fa- 
mous public  house  of  the  city  before  and  during  the  Revolution. 
It  had  been  the  city  residence  of  Governor  de  Lancey,  and  with 
its  large  stables  and  proximity  to  the  ferries  and  to  the  great 
eastern  highway,  it  was  an  admirable  tavern  site.  Here,  in  1754, 
a  noted  host,  Edward  Willett,  opened  with  the  sign  of  the 
Province  Arms,  and  under  the  name  of  the  York  Arms,  the  City 
Arms,  and  later  the  State  Arms  it  was  known.  It  must  be  re- 
membered that  in  the  old  days  taverns  were  known  by  their 
signs,  which  accounts  for  their  various  designations.  At  the 
beginning  it  was  kept  by  one  Hicks,  who  was  succeeded  by 
Roubalet  and  Cape.  After  the  war  on  its  site  was  erected  the 
famous  City  Hotel. 

Fraunce's  Tavern,  now  called  Washington's  Headquarters, 
stands  at  the  junction  of  Pearl  and  Broad  streets.  It  is  at 
present  kept  as  a  saloon  by  Jacob  Etzel.  On  the  second  floor, 
in  what  was  known  as  the  "long  room,"  Washington  took 
leave  of  his  officers,  on  the  4th  of  December,  1783.  In  this 
room  the  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  organized  in 
1768.  It  has  five  windows  overlooking  Broad  and  Pearl  streets. 
It  still  contains  an  old  round  table  which  is  alleged  to  have  been 
in  use  in  ]  783.  The  house  was  originally  two  and  a  half  stories 
high  ;  in  olden  times  a  handsome  staircase  led  to  the  principal 
room.  The  Exchange  was  close  by,  and  from  the  records  of 
that  day  we  find  that  the  tavern  was  frequented  by  many  busi- 
ness men,  and  that  sales  of  real  estate  were  made  there  in  addi- 
tion to  the  transaction  of  other  matters  of  general  public  im- 
portance. Built  about  1710,  by  one  of  the  de  Lanceys,  it  was 
afterwards  purchased  by  Fraunces,  and  has  since  1768  been 
without  interruption  a  house  of  entertainment. 

It  is  proposed  to  celebrate  the  centennial  anniversary  of  Wash- 
ington's farewell  to  his  officers  by  a  turtle  feast  in  the  old  style, 
served  in  the  "  long  room,"  on  Tuesday,  4th  December  next  ; 
also  by  an  informal  assembly  of  merchants,  who  will  lunch  in 
Washington's  "  long  room  "  on  that  day. 


V 


10 


AN  INTERESTING  LETTER. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  John  Austin  Stevens,  whose 
grandfather  was  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  regiment  hereunder 
mentioned,  we  are  enabled  to  give  the  following  letter,  copied 
from  the  original,  now  in  the  possession  of  Major  Bauman's 
granddaughter,  Mrs.  C.  P.  Marsh,  of  this  city.  Its  contents  may 
be  accepted  as  evidence  of  the  friendly  rivalry  which  then  ex- 
isted among  the  officers  of  outlying  regiments  for  the  honor  of 
taking  possession  of  the  metropolis. 

West  Point,  22d  of  August,  1783. 
Sir:  It  is  strongly  suggested  that  the  British  are  to  leave  New  York,  and 
that  part  of  the  infantry  now  in  the  line  are  to  march  into  the  city  as  soon 
as  it  is  evacuated.  I  am  therefore  requested  by  the  officers  of  the  two  re- 
maining companies  of  the  New  York  regiment  of  artillery  to  solicit  your 
Excellency  that  they  might  be  included  in  having  the  honor  to  take  pos- 
session of  their  metropolis  in  case  any  troops  should  be  ordered  for  that 
purpose,  as  we  are  the  only  State  troops  in  the  line  we  know  of,  would 
think  us  highly  honored  should  your  Excellency  intercede  for  us  on  the 
occasion.  One  captain,  lieutenant,  one  subaltern,  one  sergeant,  one  cor- 
poral, and  twenty  matrosses  are  under  marching  orders  to  go  to  Oswego. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect, 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

S.  Bauman, 
Major  of  Artillery. 

Gov.  Clinton. 


ORDER  OF  PROCESSION,  NOV.  26,  1883. 

Grand  Marshal. 
Aides. 

Honorary  Marshals. 

Escort  to  the  Marshals,  on  horseback. 

The  Governor. 

The  President. 

The  Lieutenant-Governor  of  New  York. 
The  President  of  the  United  States  Senate. 
The  Chief  Justice  United  States  Supreme  Court. 
The  Chief  Justice  New  York  Court  of  Appeals. 
Members  of  the  Cabinet. 
State  officers  of  New  York. 

Governors  of  original  Thirteen  States  and  their  Staffs. 
General,  Lieutenant -General,  and  General  ITancock  and  Staff. 
Admiral,  Vice- Admiral,  and  Commandant  of  New  York  Navy  Yard, 
and  Staff. 

Members  of  Joint  Committee  of  the  Celebration. 


11 


n. 

Military. 

First  Division  National  Guard,  State  of  New  York,  under  command  of 
Major-General  Shaler. 

Second  Division  National  Guard,  State  of  New  York,  or  such  portioa 
thereof  as  may  be  present. 

Visiting  Military  Organizations. 

United  States  Army  and  Navy  (on  school  or  training  ships). 

m. 

Military  Orders. 

Society  of  the  Cincinnati. 
Veterans  of  the  War  of  1812. 
Veterans  of  the  Mexican  War. 
Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion. 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
Veterans  of  the  Civil  War. 
Sons  of  the  Revolution.  (Civic.) 

IV. 

Crvic  Societies. 

This  Division  contains  the  various  Civic  Societies  of  the  City  of  New 
York,  which  take  part  in  the  parade.  The  Tammany  Society  or  Columbian 
Order  will  lead  the  Division. 

The  New  York  Historical  Society,  with  delegates  from  kindred  Associa- 
tions from  other  States. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  Marine  Society,  both  organized  before 
the  Revolution,  and  the  various  Commercial  bodies  and  Exchanges  of  the 
city  appear  here  also. 

Up  to  the  time  of  going  to  press  this  programme  was  the  only  one  officially 
agreed  upon  by  the  Joint  Committee,  but  tlie  full  order  of  procession  will  be  issued 
in  a  detached  form  when  ready. 

The  Water  Parade. 

A  remarkable  and  novel  feature  of  the  ceremonies  of  the  day  is  the  ' 
Parade  of  the  Steam  Vessels  of  the  harbor.    Over  four  hundred,  from  the 
largest  steamboat  to  the  smallest  canal  tug,  will  appear  in  line.    The  Ad- 
miral of  the  day  is  the  Hon.  John  H.  Starin,  who  has  announced  the  fol- 
lowing official  programme: 

Line  to  form  9 :30  A.  M.  sharp  from  a  barge  anchored  abreast  of  Bedloe's 
Island,  all  boats  to  form  to  the  southward  of  said  barge. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  the  Admiral's  flag-ship  at  the  head  of  the  line,  and 
the  firing  of  one  gun  from  the  flag-ship,  the  line  will  move. 

The  course  to  be  up  the  North  River  to  a  point  about  opposite  Sixty-fifth 
Street.  Turn  to  the  eastward,  move  south  near  the  New  York  shore,  round 
the  Battery,  and  pass  the  flag-ship  which  shall  anchor  at  that  point  and  re- 
view the  parade,  up  the  East  River  to  a  point  opposite  Twenty-third  Street 


12 


Ferry.  Turn  to  eastward  and  proceed  down  near  the  Brooklyn  shore.  Pass 
Governor's  Island  to  the  northward  and  proceed  to  Bay  Ridge,  where 
parade  will  be  dismissed. 

UNVEILING  OF  WASHINGTON'S  STATUE. 

Secretary  George  Wilsox,  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
announces  that  about  one  o'clock  on  Evacuation  Day,  the  statue 
of  George  Washington,  erected  on  the  Sub-Treasury  steps,  will 
be  unveiled.  This  statue  has  been  placed  there  by  voluntary 
subscriptions,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
to  commemorate  the  act  of  Washington,  who  took  the  oath  on 
that  spot,  April  30th,  1789,  as  the  first  President  of  the  United 
States  of  America.  The  committee  of  arrangements  are  Messrs. 
Royal  Phelps,  A.  A.  Low,  S.  B.  Chittenden,  Morris  K. 
Jesup,  Henry  F.  Spaulding,  and  Benjamin  G.  Arnold.  The 
sculptor  is  John  Q.  A.  Ward. 

The  programme  to  be  observed  is  as  follows  : 

•  1.  Mr.  George  W.  Lane,  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  will 
take  the  chair  as  presiding  officer. 

2.  The  Rev.  Richard  S.  Storrs,  D.D.,  will  offer  prayer. 

3.  Mr.  Royal  Phelps,  Chairman  of  the  Special  Committee  of  "he 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  will  report  to  Mr.  Lane,  President  of  the  Chamber, 
the  completion  of  the  work  committed  to  their  charge. 

4.  His  Excellency,  Governor  Cleveland,  will  unveil  the  statue. 

5.  Mr.  Lane  will  tender  the  statue  to  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  in  whose  custody  it  will  thereafter  remain,  pursuant  to  the  Act  of 
Congress. 

6.  The  President  of  the  United  States  will  accept  the  statue  on  behalf  of 
the  Government. 

7.  The  Hon.  George  William  Curtis  will  deliver  the  oration. 

8.  The  assemblage  will  be  invited  to  sing  Old  Hundred. 

Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow  ! 
Praise  Him,  all  creatures  here  below  ! 
Praise  Him  above,  ye  heavenly  host ! 
Praise  Father,  Son.  and  Holy  Ghost  ! 

9.  The  Right  Reverend  Henry  C.  Potter,  D.D.,  Assistant  Bishop  of 
the  Diocese  of  New  York,  will  pronounce  a  Benediction,  which  will 
conclude  the  ceremonies. 


lEx  Safaris 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  hook 

Because  it  has  heen  said 
" Ever' thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  hook." 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
(in  i  01  sn  \ioi  k  B.  Di  rsi  ()i  i)  York  Library 


